Catskills, New York
Beaverkill-Willowemoc Fishing Report: September 26, 2026
The Beaverkill and Willowemoc remain cold but very low and falling; clouds and light rain may help olives, but the limited holding water keeps fishing tough.
- Status
- tough
- Flow trend
- falling
- Best window
- Cloudy and rainy periods, with dries for observed rises
- Best methods
- nymphs, wet flies, dry flies
Quick Summary
The Beaverkill is near 166 cfs at Cooks Falls and the Willowemoc near 36.7 cfs at Livingston Manor. Both are still falling and remain well below the local source's preferred wading ranges. Morning USGS temperatures are safe for trout at 55.6 F on the Beaverkill and 54.3 F on the Willowemoc. Clouds and light rain may improve olive activity, but low water still calls for a careful approach and short, accurate presentations.
Conditions Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Status | Tough. Cold water and clouds help, but both freestones are very low and falling |
| Flow | 166 cfs at Beaverkill Cooks Falls; 36.7 cfs at Willowemoc Livingston Manor |
| Gauge Height | 1.48 feet at Cooks Falls; 1.88 feet at Livingston Manor |
| Water Temp | 55.6 F on the Beaverkill; 54.3 F on the Willowemoc |
| Clarity | Not reported |
| Trend | Falling |
| Best Window | Cloudy and rainy periods, with dries for observed rises |
| Best Method | Nymphs and wet flies; dries for established rises |
| Wadeability | Good, but very low water requires a careful approach |
Weather
The National Weather Service forecast for Roscoe calls for mostly cloudy skies, a chance of rain after midmorning, a high near 61 F, and north wind near 12 mph with gusts as high as 28 mph. Rain chances continue tonight and become likely Sunday. No active NWS alert covered the forecast point at the morning check.
River Notes
Since Friday morning, the Beaverkill has fallen about 11 cfs and the Willowemoc about 1.2 cfs. The latest useful local report remains dated September 21 and favored the Beaverkill over the Willowemoc because of flow. Today's gauges reinforce that distinction: the Beaverkill retains more broken water, while the Willowemoc is especially thin.
Approach from downstream and inspect each pool before entering. Concentrate on riffle edges, pocket water, and pool heads where depth and broken current provide cover. Avoid walking through shallow tails or casting repeatedly over visible fish. Cloud cover may help small olives, while the reported Isonychias and Cahills provide larger searching patterns in broken water. Any rain-driven improvement will lag the forecast, so confirm a rise on the gauges rather than assuming the river has changed.
Hatch Activity
The September 21 local report is stale for current conditions but remains useful for seasonal hatch context. It supports Blue Winged Olives, flying ants, Isonychias, and Light Cahills. Confirm insects and repeat rises before choosing a dry.
| Hatch | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive | 18-22 | Clouds and showers may help; check soft margins and pool tails |
| Flying Ant | 16-20 | Use along protected banks after seeing ants or rises |
| Isonychia | 12-14 | Nymphs and wets suit broken water; dries can search riffles |
| Light Cahill | 14-16 | Use a larger dry in riffles or match an observed hatch |
Recommended Flies
| Category | Fly | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nymph | Isonychia Nymph, Pheasant Tail, Frenchie, or caddis pupa | 12-18 | Use a compact rig through riffle margins and pool heads |
| Wet | Isonychia Wet or soft hackle | 12-18 | Let the fly lift toward the bank at the end of the drift |
| Dry | BWO Comparadun or CDC Olive | 18-22 | Use for established rises in slower water |
| Dry | Flying Ant, Light Cahill, or Rusty Spinner | 12-20 | Match the observed insect and rise form |
Tactics
Fish upstream with a low profile and cover the nearest broken water before stepping into the channel. Use a short nymph drift or swing a soft hackle through riffles and pockets. Change to a dry only for an observed hatch or repeat feeder. Morning temperatures are safe, but carry a thermometer and stop targeting trout at 68 F. Wind gusts may drop branches, and the forecast rain could change crossings later; leave the river if depth, visibility, debris, or current speed is uncertain.
Gauge Links
| Gauge | Flow | Temp | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY | 166 cfs | 55.6 F | USGS 01420500 |
| WILLOWEMOC CREEK NEAR LIVINGSTON MANOR NY | 36.7 cfs | 54.3 F | USGS 01419500 |
Sources
Official sources checked: USGS stations 01420500 and 01419500, plus the National Weather Service forecast and active alert feed for the Roscoe, NY area. This report is an original Custom FlyBox summary based on current official gauge and weather data, with the September 21 local public conditions report reviewed separately for hatch and method context and treated as stale for current flow details.